Automatic valve



(N0 Model.)

A. G. PAUL. AUTOMATIC VALVE. No. 563,879. Patented July 14, 1896.

7 V 1 y flan/1% UNITED STATES PATENT FFICE.

ANDREIV G. PAUL, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO THE PAITL STEAMSYSTEM COMPANY, OF MAINE.

AUTOMATIC VALVE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 563,879, dated July 14,1896.

Application filed March 28, 1895. Serial No. 543,469. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ANDREW G. PAUL, a citizen of the United States, anda resident of Boston in the county of Sufiolk and State ofMassachusetts, have invented a new and useful Automatic Valvefor-Permitting the Escape of Air from Heating Systems while Preventingthe Escape of the Vapor or later of Condensation, of which the followingis a full, clear, and exact specification, reference being had to theaccompanying drawings, which form a part hereof.

My invention relates to an improvement in automatic valves, and isespecially applicable for use in connection with steam-heating systemsprovided with air-pipes where it is desirable to remove the air from theradiators of the system without causing any considerable loss of steam.

My improved valve is also adapted for use in connection with devices forremoving the water of condensation from the cylinders ofdrying-machines, such, for example, as is shown in United States LettersPatent No. 526,734., granted to me on October 2, 1894, and with otherdevices for transferring liquids.

The object of my invention is to automatically control the passage ofair, vapor, or water through the air-pipe or escape-pipe so as to permitthe air to escape while preventin g the escape of the vapor and theWater, or so as to permit the air and vapor to escape while preventingthe escape of water.

My improvement is fully illustrated in the accompanying drawings, inwhich Figure 1 represents an ordinarysteam-heating system on thedouble-pipe plan provided with an air-pipe and an exhauster at the endof the air-pipe, the air-pipe being suitably connected with the tworadiators shown and being provided with my improved valves. Fig. 2 is alongitudinal section of my valve, taken through the middle of theescape-passage. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view on the line 3 8of Fig. 2. Fig. l shows a second modification of my improvement. Fig. 5represents the cleaning-pin.

Similar letters indicate similar parts in the different figures.

. exhauster 9.

if it should become clogged with dirt.

Referring to the drawings, a a represent ordinary steam-radiators.

I) is the steam-supply pipe leading to the radiators from the boiler c.

d d are the return-pipes leading from the radiators to the commonreturn-main e, which conveys the water of condensation back to theboiler.

Suitable valves are provided on the branches of the supply-pipe, andsuitable check-valves are placed at the lower ends of the variousreturns.

f is an air-pipe connected with the radiators and provided at its lowerend with the h represents my improved valve, which is placed on eachbranch of the air-pipe near the radiator.

i represents the valve-casing. This cas ing is provided with a centralpassage-way, and is also provided at its ends with suitable means forattaching it to the apparatus with which it is to be connected.

3' is a removable plug located in the casing and extending across thepassage therein, and provided with a suitable handle. This plug is heldin place by any usual means.

k are two capillary ducts cxtendin g around the periphery of the plugand connecting the passage-way on one side of the plug with thepassage-way on the other side of the plug. These ducts are ofconsiderable length. In the two forms shown in the drawings the outerwalls of the ducts are formed by the valve-casing. In the form shown inFig. 2 the duct is formed by making a groove in the surface of the plugj. In the form shown in Fig. 4 the duct is formed by making a groove inthe surface of the casing surrounding the plug. I have found in practicethat a satisfactory valve is produced by making these capillary ductsabout five-eighths of an inch in length and from a thirtysecond to asixty fourth of an inch in diameter. lis an opening or passage throughthe center of the plug, adapted, when the plug is turned into the properposition, to'register with the passage in the casing. The purpose ofthis opening 1 is to enable the valve to be cleaned in is a cleaning pinor scraper. WVhen the capillary ducts are formed in the face of theplug, as in Figs. 2 and 3, the cleaning-pin is inserted through thecasing of the valve, as shown in Fig. 3, so that when it is screwed inits pointed end will project into the ducts. The cleaning-pin isprovided with a screwthread which takes into the screw-thread in thecasing, enabling the pin to be screwed out or in. This pin is preferablymade to project into the ducts at a point where these ducts open intothe main passage-way of the valve. The object of this construction is tocause the dirt which is scraped out of the duct by the cleaningpin to becollected in the line of the main passage-way, as a result of which itwill be forced out of the valve by the current passing through the same.

\Vhere the capillary ducts are made in the wall of the casing, as inFig. i, the cleaningpin can be inserted in the opening or passage Z ofthe plug, the screw-thread of the pin engaging with a screw-thread inthe opening of the plug. In this form of the invention the cleaning-pinis made hollow, with openings at its pointed end, so that when the plugis turned to bring the opening Z in line with the main passage of thevalve the cleaning-pin will not materially obstruct the current flowingthrough the valve. The flat end of the cleaning-pin is provided with ascrewslot, into which a screw-driver may be inserted to screwthecleaning-pin into the desired position.

The operation of my improved valve in connection with such a heatingsystem is as follows: When the system is started, the valveplug may beturned so as to bring its central opening 1 in line with the mainpassage of the valve. The exhauster being in operation, the

diator through this large passage. As soon as the air has been exhaustedand the steam begins to pass through the valve (which will .be indicatedby the air-pipes becoming hot at that point) the plug is turned to theposition shown in Fig. 2. The steam enters the capillary ducts andpasses along the same with a speed dependent partly upon the differencebetween the pressure in the radiator and the pressure in the air-pipe onthe other side of the valve. Owing to the length of the capillary ductand its extremely small diameter or cross-section the condensing-surfaceof the duct is very large as compared with its crosssectional area, oras compared with the size of the current of steam passing through it. Inconsequence of this the steam will be rapidly condensed and the water ofcondensation will gather in the duct until aglobule of water has beenformed sufficient to fill the duct. This water acts as a valve andsubstantially closes the duct and prevents or greatly retards thepassage of steam through the duct. By reason of the small size of theduct its walls or sides exert a sort of capillary attraction upon thewater of condensation and tend to ipI'OjGCiJS into the ducts.

- the ducts are scraped out.

' nected as before with the escape-pipe. I valve is now ready for useagain. air will be quickly drawn out from the raprevent it from beingforced through the duct into the air pipe. The escape of steam throughthe valve is thus substantially prevented. When air begins to collectagain in the radiator or in the valve-passage near the plug, thecondensation in the duct ceases, and whatever water of condensation mayhave been formed therein escapes slowly from the duct either back intothe radiator or into the air-pipe. As soon as the duct has been partlyor wholly freed from this water of condensation the air escapes throughthe duct until the steam again flows into the duct, when the operationalready explained is repeated.

If any of the passages of the valve become clogged with dirt, thecleaning-pin is screwed into operative position and the valve-plugturned entirely around, and the projecting point of the pin scrapes outthe ducts. By bringing the opening 1 of the plug in line with the mainpassage of the valve a full current is established through the valve,which will force out thedirt or other obstructing matter.

In the form shown in Figs. 4 and 5 when it becomes necessary to cleanthe valve it is disconnected at one end from the escape-pipe and theopening Z of the plug is brought in line with the main passage of thevalve, and

by means of any suitable small screw-driver I inserted through thispassage-way at the disconnected end the cleaning-pin is screwed fartherthrough the plug, so that its point The plug is then turned entirelyaround, as a result of which The cleaning-pin is then screwed back intoits former position, so that its point no longer projects beyond thesides of the plug, and the valve is con- The My invention thereforeprovides means for automatically permitting the escape of air whilesubstantially preventing the escape of steam. This prevention of theescape of steam increases the economy of the system by saving theheating vehicle from waste.

My invention is simple in construction and reliable in operation, and isnot liable to get out of order. Furthermore, it is not liable to beinjured by being subjected to great variations of pressure andtemperature.

\Vhen my invention is employed in connection with the escape-pipe of anapparatus for discharging the water from drying-machines, such as isshown in my prior patent, No. 526,73i, above referred to, or inconnection with other devices for transferring liquids in which it isnecessary to remove from the dischargepipe not merely the air, but alsothe steam or vapor contained therein, the capillary duct is made largerin diameter, so as to decrease the ratio between the surface of the ductand its sectional area or the size of the current passing through it.The condensing-surface of the ducts is thereby reduced in proportion tothe volume of vapor passing through them, and this is done sufficientlyto IIO prevent the condensation of any large portion of the steam in theducts. In consequence of this change or modification the air and vaporor steam will readily pass through the ducts. When, however, the waterenters the inner passage of the valve and reaches the ducts, the passageof the water through the ducts will be substantially pre vented byreason of the capillary action of the ducts.

Even where my invention is used in connection with steam'heatin gsystems to permit the escape of air but to prevent the escape of steam,the dimensions of the difierent parts of the valve may be somewhatvaried so long as the essential features of construction and operationare retained.

hat I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. An automatic valve comprising a valvecasing having a passagetherethrough, a movable plug located in said casing and across thepassage, and one or more capillary duct-s leading from the passage onone side of the plug to the passage on the other side of the plug,substantially as set forth.

2. An automatic valve comprisingavalvecasing having a passagetherethrough, a movable plug located in said casing and across thepassage, and one or more curved capillary ducts leading from the passageon-one side of the plug to the passage on the other side of the plug,substantially as set forth.

3. An automatic valve comprising a valvecasing having a passagetherethrough, a movable plug located in said casing and across thepassage, and one or more capillary ducts of considerable length, eachduct having a large contact-surface as compared with its sectional area,and leading from the passage on one side of the plug to the passage onthe other side of the plug, substantially as set forth.

4. An automatic valve comprising a valvecasing having a passagetherethrough, a movable plug located in said casin g and across thepassage, and one or more curved capillary ducts of considerable length,each duct hava large contact-surface as compared with its sectionalarea, and leading from the passage on one side of the plug to thepassage on the other side of the plug, substantially as set forth.

5. An automatic valve comprising a valvecasing having a passagetherethrough, a movable plug located in said casing and across thepassage, and one or more curved capillary ducts between the casin g andthe plug of considerable length, each duct having a largecontact-surface as compared with its sectional area, and leading fromthe passage on one side of the plug to the passage on the other side ofthe plug, substantially as set forth.

6. An automatic valve comprising a valve casin g having a passagetherethrough, a movable plug located in said casing and across thepassage, and one or more capillary ducts of considerable len gtli, eachduct having a large contact-surface as compared with its sectional area,an d leading from the passage on one side of the plug to the passage onthe other side of the plug, and a large opening through the plug adaptedto be brought into line with the main passage of the valve for cleaningpurposes, substantially as set forth.

7. An automatic valve comprising a valvecasing having a passagethercthrough, a movable plug located in said casing and across thepassage, and one or more capillary ducts of considerable length, eachduct having a large contact-surface as compared with its sectional area,and leading from the passage on one side of the plug to the passage onthe other side of the plug, and a cleaning-pin adapted to project intothe duct or ducts, substantially as set forth.

8. An automatic valve comprising a valvecasing having a passagetherethrough, a movable plug located in said casing and across thepassage, and one or more curved capillary ducts between the casing andthe plug of considerable length,each duct having a large contact-surface as compared with its sectional area, and leading from thepassage on one side of the plug to the passage on the other side of theplug, and a large opening through the plug adapted to be brought intoline with the main passage of the valve for cleaning purposes, and ahollow cleaning-pin fitting the large opening in the plug and adjustabletherein and adapted to project into the duct or ducts, substantially asset forth.

9. An automatic valve to permit the escape of air from a heating systemwhile preventing the escape of steam, comprising a valvecasin g having apassage therethrough, a movable plug located in said casing and acrossthe passage, and one or more condensing capillary ducts of considerablelength, each duct having a large condensing-surface as compared with itssectional area, and connecting the passage on one side of the plug withthe passage on the other side of the plug, substantially as set forth.

10. An automatic valve to permit the escape of air from a heating systemwhile preventing the escape of steam, comprising a valve-casinghaving apassage therethrough, a movable plug located in said casing and acrossthe passage, and one or more condensing capillary ducts of considerablelength, each duct having a large condensing-surface as compared with itssectional area, and connecting the passage'on one side of the plug withthe passage on the other side of the plug, and a large opening throughthe plug adapted to be brought into line with the main passage of thevalve for cleaning purposes, substantially as set forth.

11. The combination with a steam-heating system, which is provided withradiators, supply and return pipes, an air-pipe in addition to thesupply and return pipes, and an exhauster for drawing air from thesystem through the air-pipe, of an automatic valve on the air-pipe,comprising a'valve-casing opening through the plug adapted to be 1chaving a passage therethrough, a movable brought into line With the mainpassage 01' plug located in said casing and across the pasthe valve forcleaning purposes, substantially sage and one or more condensingcapillary as set forth.

ducts of considerable length, each duct hav- T 7 ing a largecondensing-surface as compared Y PAUL with its sectional area, andconnecting the \Vitnesses:

passage on one side of the plug With the pas- T. U. BRUCE,

sage on the other side of the plug, and a large A. J. CORBETT.

